Graham Cunningham looks back at Southern Legend's record-breaking Purse success

A careful study of Sunday's Sa Sa Ladies' Purse won by Southern Legend at Sha Tin threw up a couple of observations.

Firstly, hats off to the winner, who went off at 27-1 and battled on bravely to break the 1800m track record and give Italian rider Alberto Sanna his biggest Hong Kong success to date.

The seven-year-old is super reliable and, along with Beauty Generation's recent conqueror Rise High, gives his trainer Caspar Fownes two high-class options for upcoming big races.

The battling Time Warp gave Southern Legend all he could handle as he went down by a neck under Alexis Badel in his bid to land the Purse for the second year running.

He's still very smart but connections clearly feel he doesn't run for the whip and time may show this was his best chance to land another big one.

Exultant sets the stage for more big-race glory

Behind Southern Legend and Time Warp came favourite Exultant. The mount of Zac Purton stayed on gallantly, gaining on the front two all the way home as he tried in vain to concede 6lb and 11lb to the pair who beat him.

The Jockey Club Cup could be next on Exultant's agenda after finishing third in the Sa Sa Ladies' PurseCredit: Vince Caligiuri

Paddock appearance and strong market support suggested he was well forward for his return to action but 1800m with the winter grass cut short was never likely to bring his stamina fully into play.

But there will be plenty more big days for Hong Kong's champion middle-distance stayer. Exultant lacks the global profile of Beauty Generation but the list of rivals he has beaten over the last year is impressive and includes Arc hero Waldgeist, Nassau Stakes scorer Deirdre, and he has twice got the better of Cox Plate winner Lys Gracieux.

The Jockey Club Cup over 2000m on November 17 is next on his agenda, and a likely duel with Rise High could go a long way to deciding which of the home stars has the best chance of keeping the overseas raiders at bay during Hong Kong International Races week in December.

Fellowes eyes return for Melbourne Cup second Prince Of Arran

Exultant looks firmly on course to defend his Hong Kong Vase crown next month and Tuesday's Melbourne Cup threw up bold efforts from horses who could be in opposition to him on December 8.

Master Of Reality may have been demoted from second to fourth for causing interference under Frankie Dettori but he excelled himself giving weight to the other three horses involved in a four-way photo and has the Vase option if Joseph O'Brien fancies the trip.

Charlie Fellowes' globe-trotting Prince Of Arran could head to Hong Kong after finishing second in the Melbourne CupCredit: Vince Caligiuri (Getty Images)

Prince Of Arran has already contested the Vase once – failing to land a blow behind Exultant last year – and trainer Charlie Fellowes feels he has "unfinished business" at Sha Tin having been drawn widest of all in stall 14 that day.

"We're waiting for the invite but would love to come back," was his swift response when contacted soon after his stable star was promoted from third to second by the Flemington stewards. "He's an amazing horse – what a legend."

Forever win pays tribute to exciting Aethero

Neil Callan is working hard to make up for lost time after a slow start to the season and Thanks Forever put him firmly back in the Sha Tin spotlight with a commanding success on Sunday.

Winning trainer John Moore is eyeing a step up in class for his impressive winner, who also paid a notable compliment to one of his stablemates.

Aethero ran clean away from Thanks Forever when they met over 5f at Sha Tin last month and looked sharp in a barrier trial on Tuesday ahead of a planned showdown with leading lights like Beat The Clock and Mr Stunning in the Jockey Club Sprint on November 17.

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